NPR News: 05-23-2025 6PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: May 23, 2025, 6 PM EDT

Host: Jack Spear
Release Date: May 23, 2025

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President Trump Threatens 50% Tariffs on European Union Imports

At 00:24, Jack Spear reports on President Donald Trump's latest threat to impose a 50% tariff on all imports from the European Union. This escalation targets major foreign economies, including the tech giant Apple. Trump emphasized his stance in a social media post, stating:

“I’m not looking for a deal. I mean, we’ve set the deal. It’s at 50%. But again, there is no tariff if they build their plant here.”
— Donald Trump [00:43]

Trump hinted at a potential compromise, suggesting a 25% tariff on Apple iPhones unless they are manufactured in the United States. However, his administration's tariffs have yet to yield significant trade agreements or substantial manufacturing reinvestment in the U.S. The economic impact remains a subject of debate as the administration continues to leverage tariffs as a negotiation tool.

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Boeing Reaches $1.1 Billion Settlement Over 737 Max Crashes

Transitioning to corporate accountability, Ryan Lucas reports at 01:38 that the Justice Department has secured an agreement with Boeing to resolve the criminal fraud charges related to the two fatal 737 Max crashes that claimed 346 lives. The settlement includes:

• A $240 million fine.
• Nearly $450 million allocated to a crash victims fund.
• Boeing's admission to conspiring to obstruct regulators.

Despite criticism from victims' families regarding the non-prosecution agreement, a Justice Department spokesperson affirmed that the deal ensures Boeing's accountability while providing closure and compensation for the affected families.

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Mourning the Loss of a Young Jewish Couple in Washington, D.C.

At 02:23, Jennifer Ladden covers a virtual gathering organized by American Jewish communities to mourn a young couple tragically shot outside a Jewish museum in Washington, D.C. Both victims, employed at the Israeli embassy and poised to become engaged, left a profound impact on their community. Highlights from the event include:

“His last moments were filled with joy.”
— Benji Rogers [03:07]

Sam Drymon and other attendees shared heartfelt memories, emphasizing the victims' dedication and optimistic spirit even amidst national conflicts. The community expressed deep gratitude for the overwhelming support received during this tragic time.

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Broadway’s Revival of Tony Award-Winning Play "Art" Set to Debut

Shifting to the arts, Jeff London reports from New York at 03:16 on the upcoming revival of the Tony Award-winning play "Art", scheduled to open on Broadway this September. The production boasts a star-studded cast including:

• James Corden, former host of The Late Late Show.
• Neil Patrick Harris, known for How I Met Your Mother.
• Bobby Cannavale, recently featured in The Watcher.

Originally a French play that gained acclaim in Paris, "Art" made its Broadway debut in 1998 with notable actors like Alan Alda. This revival aims to bring fresh interpretations to the classic narrative, exploring the complexities of friendship and artistic integrity.

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Paris Jury Convicts Ringleader in 2016 Kim Kardashian Robbery

At 04:13, Jack Spear reports that a Parisian jury has found the ringleader and seven other individuals guilty for the 2016 armed robbery of Kim Kardashian. The sentencing includes:

• Eight years in prison for the 69-year-old ringleader, with five years suspended.
• Additional prison terms and fines for three other convicted individuals.

The group was convicted of forcibly entering the hotel where Kardashian was staying, restraining her, and stealing jewelry valued in the millions. Two other defendants were acquitted. The case highlights ongoing efforts to address high-profile crimes involving celebrities.

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Oil Prices Rise Ahead of Long Holiday Weekend

Concluding the episode, Jack Spear notes a rise in oil futures as buyers position themselves before the upcoming long holiday weekend. Prices increased by 33 cents per barrel, settling at $61.53 on the New York Mercantile Exchange. This uptick reflects market anticipations and strategic buying behavior amidst varying global economic conditions.

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Economic Highlight:
Wall Street experienced a significant downturn with The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropping 256 points, signaling investor concerns amidst the day's unfolding news.

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This summary encapsulates the key topics and discussions from the NPR News Now episode released on May 23, 2025. For the full experience, please listen to the original podcast.

Transcript

[Ann Marie Baldonado]

This is FRESH AIR contributor Ann Marie Baldonado. I talked with actor Cole Escola about their hit Broadway play O Mary. Cole plays an unhinged alcoholic Mary Todd Lincoln who's an aspiring cabaret performer. If that makes no sense, that's part of the point. You can find my interview on the FRESH AIR podcast.

[Jack Spear]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Jack Spear. More terror threats from President Trump, this time against the European Union and iPhone maker Apple. Trump threatening to impose 50% tax on all imports from the European Union, though he said he might be willing to talk with foreign companies that agree to build US Factories.

[Donald Trump]

I'm not looking for a deal. I mean, we've set the deal. It's at 50%. But again, there is no tariff if they build their plant here. Now if somebody comes in and wants to build a plant here, I can talk to them about a little bit of a delay. But you know, while they're building their plant, which is something I think that would be appropriate maybe.

[Jack Spear]

Trump also announced there will be a 25% tariff on Apple iPhones unless those products are made in the U.S. the announcement from Trump came in a social media post and shows while the president can disrupt the economy, so far at least his tariffs have not produced large numbers of trade deals or brought waves of promised manufacturing back to the U.S. the Justice Department says it has reached an agreement in principle that would allow Boeing to avoid prosecution over two deadly 737 Max crashes. The planemaker has been facing a criminal fraud case in connection with two fatal crashes that killed 346 people. More from NPR's Ryan Lucas.

[Ryan Lucas]

The Justice Department says in a court filing that under the agreement, Boeing will pay and invest more than $1.1 billion. That includes a fine of some $240 million as well as nearly $450 million for a crash victims fund. Boeing also will admit to conspiring to obstruct regulators. Boeing had agreed last year to plead guilty to defrauding regulators after two 737 Max jet crashes, but a federal judge rejected the proposed plea deal. The last week, lawyers for some of the victims families sharply criticized the new proposed non prosecution agreement after meetings with the government. In a statement, a Justice Department spokesman acknowledged the pushback, but said this resolution holds Boeing accountable and provides finality and compensation for victims families. Ryan Lucas, NPR News, Washington.

[Jack Spear]

Jewish organizations gathered virtually today to mourn the young couple shot dead outside a Jewish museum in Washington, D.C. this week. NPR's Jennifer Ladden reports. Both worked at the Israeli embassy and were expected to become engaged soon.

[Jennifer Ladden]

The American Jewish hosted the gathering, opening with Jewish prayers and the 23rd Psalm in Hebrew. Sam Drymon remembered Sarah Milgram's sense of mission, who takes a job at the Israeli embassy. He said when the country's in the middle of a conflict, it's someone who's.

[Ann Marie Baldonado]

Curious, who's filled to the brim with optimism.

[Jennifer Ladden]

Benji Rogers was at the museum event with Sarah and Jeroen Leshinsky. He said they were planning to meet, move in together soon.

[Jack Spear]

It's important for me to let you.

[Ann Marie Baldonado]

All know that he was happy and.

[Jack Spear]

His last moments were filled with joy.

[Jennifer Ladden]

Another speaker expressed gratitude for an outpouring of sorrow and support. Jennifer Ludden, NPR News, Washington.

[Jack Spear]

On Wall street, The Dow dropped 256 points today. You're listening to NPR. A revival of the Tony Award winning play Art will debut on Broadway this fall as Jeff London reports from New York. The production will feature 3 well known.

[Ann Marie Baldonado]

TV act Emmy Award winners will play the friends whose relationships fray over a postmodern painting James Corden, the former host of the Late Late show and a Tony winner Neil Patrick Harris of How I Met yout Mother, who's also a Tony winner and Bobby Cannavale recently of the Watcher. The play, written in France and premiered in Paris, was a Broadway hit in 1998 when Alan Alda, Victor Garber and Alfred Molina headlined in the Broadway revival opens in September. For NPR News, I'm Jeff London in New York.

[Jack Spear]

A jury in Paris has found the ringleader and seven other individuals guilty in the 2016 armed robbery of Kim Kardashian. Two other individuals were acquitted in the case. The sentences being read by the court ranged from time in prison to fines. The stiffest sentence went to the 69 year old ringleader, who received eight years in prison, though five of those were suspended. Three other individuals in the case were also sentenced to prison time. The group was found guilty of forcing their way into a hotel where Kardashian was staying in 2016, tying her up and stealing jewelry worth millions of dollars. Criminal oil futures prices moved higher today as some buyers moved in ahead of the long holiday weekend. Oil up 33 cents a barrel to settle at $61.53 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. I'm Jack Spiera, NPR News, in Washington.

[Jennifer Ladden]

Listen to this podcast sponsor free on Amazon Music with a Prime membership or or any podcast app by subscribing to NPR News Now [e-mail] that's plus.NPR.org.